Ladies In ACTSion - Ladies Ministry the British Way
Submitted by Jerolyn Kelley

	Sis. Kelley Speaking
	Ladies in ACTSion Service

In 1986 our General Superintendent’s wife, Sis. Joan Dallas, embarked on a journey of ministry to the ladies of the United Pentecostal Church of Great Britain and Ireland. We had never had a formally organized ladies ministry in this nation and it was her great desire to see this established.

Sis. Dallas began the ministry with a retreat for ministers’ wives. From this beginning, the retreat expanded to include all the ladies in our churches. The retreat grew rapidly in number and in spirit. Before too many years it became a highlight of the year for a lot of our ladies. Sis. Dallas was very creative and very decorative with the themes that were chosen for the retreats. She also brought in many outstanding ladies who ministered powerfully in the Word. At the same time, she helped to nurture ladies within Great Britain & Ireland who have become very anointed speakers.

After a few years, our General Board wanted to make the ladies ministry an official department of the work. Sis. Dallas was elected to head this department and it was then that the name Ladies In ACTSion was adopted. Our goal was to be like the women in the book of Acts and to put into action the many talents and abilities amongst us.

Each of our three districts appointed a district leader. These leaders helped Sis. Dallas to expand the ministry of the ladies. Each district established annual events that included witnessing, worship and work—the 3 W’s we find in the book of Acts. Each district has hosted some outstanding events that have done much to strengthen the ladies in our churches.

We also established an annual fund-raising drive called Smarties—after the small candy that looks like an M&M. This candy comes in a tube that is just the right size to hold our twenty pence coin. Our churches are encouraged to have all their ladies fill at least one Smartie tube each year which amounts to approximately $20.00. This fund-raising drive goes from the beginning of the year until our Mothers’ Day which is in March. This has been a great fund-raiser and has amply supported our ladies department.

Another ministry of the Ladies in ACTSion has been our “Heart to Heart” quarterly paper. This publication is designed specifically as inspiration for ministers’ wives.

After the untimely passing of our General Superintendent, Bro. James Dallas, Sis. Dallas felt to resign from her position. Our ladies leader is now Sis. Bethan Gadd from Birmingham, England. Sis. Gadd has done a wonderful job carrying on the Ladies In ACTSion Ministry and is taking it to new heights.

The ladies of the United Pentecostal Church of Great Britain & Ireland are dedicated to the spreading of the Gospel. We are working together to do all we can to assist the growth of the work in this nation. I personally have spent many years working in ladies ministry and it has been a highlight in my life. The ladies of Great Britain & Ireland have become very dear friends to me. Our lives have intertwined as we blend our ideas and experience together for the Kingdom of God.

Ladies in ACTSion has truly put many ladies into ACTION for the work of the Lord.